Hiked from Yosemite Valley to the top and back from 6:30am to 3:00pm. We were concerned about afternoon thunderstorms but it ended up being a beautiful day. We enjoyed Vernal and Nevada Falls on the way back and a dip in the Merced to cool off.

I first attempted Half Dome in 2007, very casually with my wife on an anniversary get-away trip. When arriving at the huge crowds at the bottom of the cables I turned back.
This time, the new permit system seems to really have reduced the number of people. There's still some waiting for slower moving people, both up and down on the cables, but nothing like it was in 2007. Despite the permanent "aid" (the cables) and all the criticism of the route being for tourists I really enjoyed it. But then I also enjoy the Main Mt. Whitney Trail.

Started at Tenaya, mostly ran to the base of the climb, then took the cables up. The biggest surprise was how slippery the rock was between the cables, worn smooth by countless thousands of feet -- bring shoes that will grip. Then hiked down to the valley and took the YARTS shuttle back to Tenaya. No scree to soften the descent -- my calves are still sore.

We started at Glacier Point, took the Cables to the top, then descended via the Mist Trail into the Valley. If you have a shuttle this is a good route, though I would recommend descending the John Muir Trail to avoid the steep decline and the crowds. There was no ranger out checking permits this day either.

Redemption after failed 1st attempt in 2006. Great timing at end of summer season - only a third of regular crowd on the trail. Nothing beats the feeling of standing on top after conquering the cables!

Episode 1: The slow backpack method. My friend went into diabetic shock just before we reached camp. I got him to wash down some candy with OJ while he was incoherent, but before he passed out. No bears though, and a nice mellow pace.
Episode 2: Snake Dike, took this Norwegian hottie I'd recently met up this route, married her 3 years later. It's a good route for that kind of thing.
Episode 3: Started at Tenaya Lake, up Clouds Rest on our way to HD, then learned that the shuttle bus times had changed, so had to run all the way down the trail to the valley, made it with 20 minutes to spare, but no summit.

I've been up here by the cables route from Happy Isles three times (Fall 2006, Fall 2007, Fall 2010). Was worth breaking camp early and beating the crowds. Each time I went up and down just outside of the cables, which made a few people unhappy. But honestly, I felt much safer that way than sitting on my butt for 10 minutes behind someone who has stalled in between the cables.